Charlottesville City, Virginia Court Records

Charlottesville is an independent city in Virginia with its own judicial system, entirely separate from Albemarle County. Its courts generate records covering criminal proceedings, civil litigation, family law, probate estates, and land transactions — documents used by attorneys, researchers, journalists, employers, and individuals who need to verify or document legal events. Knowing which court holds which records and how to request them is the key to a successful search.

Finding Court Records in Charlottesville:

If you're trying to locate court case information in Virginia, VirginiaStateCourts.us can help you find publicly available case information across the Commonwealth. From there, you can dig deeper by searching through the clerk's office of the appropriate court, reviewing records at public access terminals inside the courthouse, or using Virginia's own online case information systems. The sections below walk through each Charlottesville court and explain exactly how to find what you need.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Charlottesville City?

Start by identifying which court handled the matter — each court keeps its own separate docket and records, so the first question is always which level of court was involved.

Virginia offers two main online search tools. The Virginia Online Case Information System (OCIS) covers case records entered by court clerks across the Commonwealth. For circuit court matters specifically, the CJIS Web portal lets you search by locality, party name, case number, or hearing date. The General District Court has its own online case information search — just select Charlottesville from the drop-down menu and search by plaintiff or defendant name.

If you'd rather visit in person, both courthouse locations allow public review of records at the clerk's window during business hours. Mail and fax requests are accepted as well, provided you include enough detail to identify the case.

The Virginia Judicial System self-help page offers additional guidance if you're unfamiliar with court procedures or not sure where a case was filed.

Key steps for locating a case:

1. Determine whether the matter is criminal, civil, family, or probate.
2. Identify the right court — Circuit Court, General District Court, or the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
3. Search the relevant online system or contact the appropriate clerk's office.
4. For certified copies or documents not available online, submit a written request or visit the clerk in person.

Are Court Records Public in Charlottesville City?

Virginia strongly favors open access to court records. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) establishes that government records — including most court documents — are open to any member of the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Charlottesville's courts follow this framework, so the bulk of civil, criminal, and probate records are available for inspection and copying.

That said, several important categories are restricted by Virginia law:

• Juvenile records are sealed under Virginia Code 16.1-305 to protect the privacy of minors in delinquency or status offense proceedings.
• Adoption records are confidential under Virginia Code 63.2-1246 and are generally unavailable to the public.
• Medical and mental health evaluations ordered by the court are protected under Virginia Code 32.1-127.1:03.
• Active investigative records are withheld to avoid compromising ongoing law enforcement efforts.
• Certain divorce and custody records may be sealed by a judge's order in specific circumstances.

Records that don't fall within a protected category — most civil filings, criminal case dispositions, probate proceedings, and land records — remain open for public inspection. The Virginia courts public records request page has more information on requesting records from the statewide judicial system.

Charlottesville City Criminal Court Records

Criminal matters in Charlottesville move through two courts depending on the severity of the offense. Misdemeanors and preliminary hearings for felony charges are handled in the General District Court. Felony trials and appeals from misdemeanor convictions go to the Circuit Court.

Charlottesville General District Court

Detail	Information
Address	606 E. Market Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Mailing Address	P.O. Box 2677, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone	(434) 970-3365
Hours	Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Charlottesville Circuit Court

Detail	Information
Address	315 East High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone	(434) 970-3766
Hours	Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

You can search General District Court criminal records through the General District Court online case information system. Circuit Court criminal records are searchable via the CJIS circuit court portal.

Under Virginia Code 16.1-69.55, General District Courts are required to retain certain court records for ten years. If a charge concluded more than ten years ago, the record may no longer be available. The General District Court clerk's office accepts copy requests in person, by fax to (434) 970-3387, or by mail to P.O. Box 2677, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Written requests must specify the case details, your preferred delivery method, and a phone number for payment processing if copies are being mailed. Copy fees are $1.00 for each of the first two pages and $0.50 for each additional page. Faxed copies are free but cannot be certified.

Arrest records from Charlottesville Police Department incidents can be requested through the police report request portal. The Charlottesville Open Data Portal also maintains a publicly accessible arrest dataset reflecting arrests made by Charlottesville Police officers. The Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail handles inmate records through its Records Department and can be reached at (800) 467-4943.

Criminal history background checks for employment or licensing are handled through the Virginia State Police, not the local courts.

Charlottesville City Civil Court Records

Civil disputes in Charlottesville are split between two courts based on the dollar amount at stake. The General District Court handles claims up to $25,000 — or $50,000 in certain matters — while the Circuit Court handles claims exceeding $25,000, as well as shared jurisdiction for claims between $5,000 and $25,000. Typical civil matters include landlord-tenant disputes, contract claims, personal injury actions, and property disagreements.

The General District Court's small claims division hears cases up to the applicable jurisdictional limit. Small claims proceedings are scheduled on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m., with contested civil trials on Mondays and Fridays by appointment, and general docket call on Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. You can find detailed filing procedures in the Virginia courts small claims procedures guide.

All civil filings in the Circuit Court require a Cover Sheet for Filing Civil Actions (Form CC-1416). Before you file, use the Civil Filing Fee Calculation tool on the Virginia Judicial System website to estimate fees. A complete library of Virginia Judicial System forms is available online, covering civil warrants, motions, appeals, and other filings.

Circuit Court civil records are searchable through the CJIS web interface, while General District Court civil records are available through the GDC online case search. Land records — deeds, deeds of trust, and liens recorded with the Circuit Court Clerk — are accessible remotely through the US Land Records search portal on a pay-per-view basis. If you need to estimate deed recording fees before submitting, use the Deed Filing Fee Calculation tool.

To request copies of civil records from the Circuit Court, call (434) 970-3766. For General District Court copies, the same fee schedule applies: $1.00 for the first two pages, $0.50 per additional page.

Charlottesville City Family Court Records

Family law matters in Charlottesville — divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and domestic violence protective orders — are divided between the Circuit Court and the Albemarle-Charlottesville Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (JDR Court).

Albemarle-Charlottesville JDR District Court

Detail	Information
Address	411 East High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone	(434) 979-7165
Hours	Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The JDR Court handles matters involving children and families — juvenile delinquency, abuse and neglect cases, custody and visitation disputes, child and spousal support, and petitions for domestic violence protective orders. The JDR court homepage on the Virginia Court System website has docket and contact information.

Divorce proceedings — particularly uncontested divorces and cases involving complex property division — are filed in the Circuit Court. Under Virginia Code 20-99, divorce records are open to the public unless a court has entered a specific sealing order. To get a copy of a divorce decree or related filing, contact the Circuit Court Clerk's office at (434) 970-3766 or visit the records room at 315 East High Street.

Marriage certificates issued in Charlottesville are recorded by the Circuit Court Clerk and maintained by the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Vital Records. Certified copies can be requested from either office. VDH charges $15.00 per certificate search and accepts payment by check, money order, payment card, mobile pay, or cash made payable to the State Health Department. The VDH Vital Records office is at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227, open Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for walk-in requests. Online applications are available through the VDH vital records online system.

Birth records are restricted under Virginia Code 32.1-271 to the named individual, immediate family members, and authorized representatives. Death records are subject to the same statutory restrictions. Both can be requested through the VDH's online portal or by mail to the Richmond office — include the $15.00 fee per record and a legible copy of your government-issued ID.

Charlottesville City Probate Court Records

Probate jurisdiction in Charlottesville belongs to the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court Clerk handles will probate, appointment of personal representatives for estates, administration of decedents' assets, and related matters such as conservatorships and guardianships.

Circuit Court Probate Division
Address: 315 East High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone: (434) 970-3766
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Note: The Clerk's Office and Records Room are located on the lower level of the Circuit Courthouse. During any renovation periods, the clerk's office may temporarily relocate — it's worth calling ahead to confirm the current location before your visit.

Probate records — including filed wills, inventories, accountings, and appointment orders — are maintained by the clerk and are generally public documents available for inspection. To search probate records:

1. Call the Circuit Court Clerk's office at (434) 970-3766 to confirm record availability.
2. Provide the decedent's full name and approximate date of death.
3. Visit the clerk's records room in person or submit a written request by mail.
4. Pay the applicable copy fees for any documents you request.

The Circuit Court's terms begin on the third Monday of April, June, August, October, and December, and the Tuesday following the third Monday in February. Guardianship and conservatorship matters for incapacitated adults are also handled through this court — distinct from juvenile guardianship matters addressed in the JDR Court. You can use the CJIS circuit court search to look up probate case numbers, though a full review of the record content requires a clerk's office visit or a formal written request.

For FOIA-related requests involving city government records beyond court filings, Charlottesville's FOIA request page accepts requests online, in person at the City Attorney's Office, by U.S. mail, or by fax to (434) 970-3890.